On the 2nd a friend of mine and I flew over to Kemmerer, WY just to see what was there, then over to Cokeville. A chilly 20F in Cokeville, but the sun was out and was a nice day for flying. Then back to OGD, followed by a run to SLC to pick up a plane...which wouldn't start, so we had to leave her there and just flew back together to OGD. Nice day to be out flying around.

1SeventyZ wrote:Rob you ought to make a separate trip report for this stuff. Your photos from the last week have been really good.

I don't have as much talent as you Z.

whee wrote:desert rat buy a new plane???

Yes he bought it new in 05 or 06 I think. It has 200 hours on it. Super clean.

Day 5 Friday:

Catalina Island, Ca.



Arrival


Me and Jack AKA Desert Rat


In the restaurant




In the dirt



If you have never been. It is a must do! $25.00 to land and worth every cent!

Cheers

Rob-

It just dawned on me why your Maule always looks showroom-new. All those years of hanging around the station, spit-shining fire engines must be paying off.

You sure keep a gorgeous ship. Thanks for sharing your trip highlights.

-DP

On Thursday got back in the air for the first time since August. Started off with some much needed pattern work and then flew Kelso - Cascade Locks - Lunch at The Dalles - Scappoose - Kelso. Awesome flying day, wish I had my camera. The Gorge east wind didn't even pick up till I was heading back west.

Did a snow (or lack of) patrol today. Left Meadowlake and overflew Kelly Airpark, Bijou Bottom, Mountain Matt's(pic below), Calhan, T/G at Springs East, T/G at Colorado Springs, return to Meadowlake. Fun flying!

Good grief, I don't think I've ever seen our strip from that high up.

Still planning on going to Steve's next weekend (Sat 12th)? I'm planning on it weather permitting.

Let the picture be proof that it was not I making all the noise over your neihbors today

The wife and I flew up to Orcas island today in the San Juans (ORS). About 33 degrees F when we departed Harvey Field (S43) with not a breath of wind. By the time we were about 10 miles southeast of Orcas Eastsound the ASOS was reporting wind 010 22kts gusting to 35 kts. Oopsy. There's a huge high pressure sitting over US/CAN border venting artic air down the Fraiser River valley and I was getting the full benefit. "honey, this is going to be a little bouncy" . pressing on...." Dang! My 172 can do aerobatics!" All the giant hills surrounding final approach made that wind do things that were quite amazing. It will be logged as my wackiest approach to date. Stuck it on the pavement, had a great time, and my wife still loves me.

Well, I didn't really fly anywhere, but took the opportunity to go land in the snow between the runway/taxiway at Westover Field, Amador County, CA after a low, cold snow. Didn't have my good camera. Didn't have much time - just 30min at lunch. But thought it may be a long time before I get the chance to land in snow again.

One of those days when it just blows that you can't blow off work....

http://picasaweb.google.com/emmetw/Downloads02?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm0ofGYn4CIUw&feat=directlink

emflys wrote:Well, I didn't really fly anywhere, but took the opportunity to go land in the snow between the runway/taxiway at Westover Field, Amador County, CA after a low, cold snow. Didn't have my good camera. Didn't have much time - just 30min at lunch. But thought it may be a long time before I get the chance to land in snow again.

One of those days when it just blows that you can't blow off work....

http://picasaweb.google.com/emmetw/Downloads02?authkey=Gv1sRgCJm0ofGYn4CIUw&feat=directlink

Sweet looking plane!!!

Spent my lunch break flying for an hour today. I love flying on these clear, cold winter days. Infinite visibility -- I lost count of how many volcanos I could see at one time, air as smooth as silk, and my plane pulling off the ground like it had an extra 75 horses.

Plus, flying wearing a knit cap and gloves make me feel like I'm a real pilot!

Cheers!

Oregon180 wrote:
Plus, flying wearing a knit cap and gloves make me feel like I'm a real pilot!

Cheers!

Well, in that case I'm an astronaut

I was a passenger, but it was still fun:



Typical SE AK winter day:

Flew to a nearby local strip for a small fly in (which turned out I was the only one to fly in). The winds were light, but then grew stronger and it was apparent I needed to make a decision to stay or go. Taxiing out a gust picked up the tail and I had a come to Jesus meeting before the tail slowly settled back down. No expensive repairs this time.





With the strong, gusty Xwind I took advantage of the dinky crosswind strip (err, parking lot/refuel area). The Stinson did fine but @ 6000msl there wasn't much room to spare on takeoff.



Learned a lot today!

I wasn't going to fly today (it's really cold for these parts) but it turned out to be such a great looking day for flying, what the heck. A short hop from my home field (Harvey Field S43) is Snoqualmie Falls near the town of Snoqualmie.

In this shot you can see the lodge in the upper left.


It rarely gets this cold around here.

Was suppose to meet mountainmatt and bmurrish at this private strip but intermitten strong winds along the front range and here in SW NE make me think better of it. Maybe next time. HC

deleted

Was not today but thought I would see if I could insert a picture.
This is about sundown south of Whitehorse.
http://www.cessna195.org/Gallery/Photo/Wallpaper/GeorgeThomas_cloud_halo_1680_1050.jpg
GT